Packaged terminal climate unit for pest control

ABSTRACT

In certain embodiments, a packaged terminal device for killing pests in an affected area includes a housing configured to be positioned at least partially within an affected area, a fan positioned within the housing, and one or more heating elements positioned within the housing. The fan is operable to draw a flow of air from the affected area into the housing. The one or more heating elements are operable to generate heated air by transferring heat to the flow of air. The packaged terminal device further includes a control unit operable to control the operation of the one or more heating elements in order to cause the packaged terminal device to operate in either a first mode or a second mode. In the first mode, the operation of the one or more heating elements is controlled such that sufficient heated air is generated to heat at least a portion of the affected area to a temperature less than or equal to a first predefined temperature. In the second mode, the operation of the one or more heating elements is controlled such that sufficient heated air is generated to heat at least a portion of the affected area to a temperature greater than or equal to a second predefined temperature, the second predefined temperature being greater than the first predefined temperature.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 13/154,196 filed Jun. 6, 2011,entitled “Package Terminal Climate Unit for Pest Control,” the entiredisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to pest control and more particularlyto a packaged terminal unit for thermal pest control in an affectedarea.

BACKGROUND

It is not uncommon for pests, such as bed bugs and other insects, toinfest structures or other areas that are also inhabited or otherwiseused by humans. This is particularly true in enclosed spaces that arelocated within certain climates and/or enclosed spaces that arefrequented by the public. The insects, which generally hide during theday, emerge from cracks and crevices at night to feast on human bloodwhile the human inhabitants are asleep. For example, hotels may becomeinfested with bed bugs or other pests when those insects are brought inby overnight guests. The problem is not isolated to hotels that serviceovernight visitors, however. Other spaces that may become infestedinclude office and commercial buildings, private dwellings, andvehicles. Accordingly, the need exists for effective and efficientsystems and methods for killing bed bugs and/or other pests within anenclosed area. Systems and methods for killing bed bugs and/or otherpests, however, have proven inadequate in various respects.

SUMMARY

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, disadvantages andproblems associated with previous systems for killing pests in anaffected area may be reduced or eliminated.

In certain embodiments, a packaged terminal device for killing pests inan affected area includes a housing configured to be positioned at leastpartially within an affected area, a fan positioned within the housing,and one or more heating elements positioned within the housing. The fanis operable to draw a flow of air from the affected area into thehousing. The one or more heating elements are operable to generateheated air by transferring heat to the flow of air. The packagedterminal device further includes a control unit operable to control theoperation of the one or more heating elements in order to cause thepackaged terminal device to operate in either a first mode or a secondmode. In the first mode, the operation of the one or more heatingelements is controlled such that sufficient heated air is generated toheat at least a portion of the affected area to a temperature less thanor equal to a first predefined temperature. In the second mode, theoperation of the one or more heating elements is controlled such thatsufficient heated air is generated to heat at least a portion of theaffected area to a temperature greater than or equal to a secondpredefined temperature, the second predefined temperature being greaterthan the first predefined temperature.

Particular embodiments of the present disclosure may provide one or moretechnical advantages. For example, the packaged terminal device of thepresent disclosure may be a suitable replacement for a conventionalpackaged terminal device often installed in certain affected areas(e.g., a packaged terminal air conditioner (PTAC) or a packaged terminalheat pump (PTHP) often installed in hotel rooms). Because the packagedterminal device of the present disclosure operates in both a first modeand a second mode, the packaged terminal device may be safely used toboth (1) heat (or cool) an affected area to a temperature comfortablefor occupants of the affected area (e.g., 70 degrees Fahrenheit), and(2) heat the affected area to a temperature sufficient to kill bed bugsand other pests (e.g., 120 degrees Fahrenheit). In contrast,conventional packaged terminal devices may only be operable to heat/coolan affected area to a temperature comfortable for occupants of the area(e.g., 70 degrees Fahrenheit). As a result, when the packaged terminaldevice of the present disclosure is installed in an affected area as areplacement for a conventional packaged terminal device, the need tobring in a separate heating device (e.g., a hydronic heating system) toheat the affected area to a temperature sufficient to kill bed bugs andother pests (e.g., 120 degrees Fahrenheit) may be reduced or eliminated.Accordingly, the cost of pest eradication and/or the time required forpest eradication may be reduced.

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure may include some, all, ornone of the above advantages. One or more other technical advantages maybe readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the figures,descriptions, and claims included herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To provide a more complete understanding of the present invention andthe features and advantages thereof, reference is made to the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system for thermal pest control in anaffected area, according to certain embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed view of an example packaged terminaldevice for thermal pest control, according to certain embodiments of thepresent disclosure; and

FIG. 3 illustrates an example method for thermal pest control using theexample packaged terminal device depicted in FIG. 2, according tocertain embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system 100 for thermal pest control in anaffected area 102, according to certain embodiments of the presentdisclosure. System 100 may include a packaged terminal (PT) device 104positioned at least partially within affected area 102 (e.g., mounted inan exterior wall 208 of affected area 102, as described below withRegard to FIG. 2). PT device 104 may be configured to operate in (1) afirst, normal mode in which PT device 104 is operable to dischargesufficient heated air 106 into affected area 102 to heat affected area102 to a temperature comfortable for occupants of affected area 102(e.g., a temperature in the range of 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit), and (2)a second, pest control mode in which PT device 104 is operable todischarge sufficient heated air 106 into affected area 102 to heataffected area 102 to a temperature sufficient to kill bed bugs and otherpests that may be present in affected area 102. For example, atemperature of approximately 120 degrees Fahrenheit may be sufficient tokill bed bugs and/or other pests. In certain embodiments, however, itmay be desirable to raise the air temperature within affected area 102to a temperature greater than 120 degrees Fahrenheit (e.g.,approximately 140 degrees Fahrenheit) in order to ensure that thecontents within affected area 102 are adequately and thoroughly heatedto a target temperature (e.g., 120 degrees Fahrenheit).

Affected area 102 may include any site where bedbugs or other pests maynest, including where there has been visual confirmation of a nestingarea of bedbugs or other pests, or where a trained animal (e.g., a scentdetection dog) has alerted to the presence of bedbugs or other pests(i.e., an acute infestation site). In certain embodiments, affected area102 may include all or a portion of a building or structure, such as anapartment within an apartment building, a hotel, an office space, acommercial building, a private dwelling (e.g., a house), or any othersuitable enclosed space where an infestation is suspected. As oneparticular example, affected area 102 may comprise a hotel room, and PTdevice 104 may be installed in the hotel room in order to provide bothair conditioning for the hotel room (e.g., heating and cooling) whenoperating in a first mode and thermal pest control for the hotel room(e.g., by heating the hotel room to a temperature sufficient to kill bedbug and other pest) when operating in a second mode.

In certain embodiments, system 100 may include one or more air movers108 positioned within the affected area 102. Air movers 108 maydistribute the heated air 106 discharged by PT device 104 throughoutaffected area 102. Air movers 108 may include standard propeller typefans or any other suitable devices for producing a current of air thatmay be used to circulate heated air 106 and, in some embodiments, reducethe concentration of heated air 106 in a particular location, such as ator near the ceiling of affected area 102. Although FIG. 1 depicts aparticular number of air movers 108 positioned within affected area 102,any suitable number of air movers 108 may be selectively positionedwithin affected area 102 to promote the circulation of heated air 106through affected area 102, as desired. For example, air movers 108 maybe positioned within affected area 102 such that a desired airflowpattern (e.g., clock-wise or counter-clockwise) is achieved.

In certain embodiments, the output side of an air mover 108 may beconfigured to direct heated air 106 toward hard to heat areas and/orcontents of affected area 102. For example, affected area 102 mayinclude an exterior wall, the outside of which may be exposed to coldoutside temperatures. As a result, the exterior wall may be harder toheat than certain other portions of affected area 102. An air mover 108may therefore be positioned to direct heated air 106 toward the exteriorwall in order to more effectively heat the exterior wall. In certainembodiments, the output side of air mover 108 may be configured todirect heated air 106 along the floor of affected area 102 to furtheraid in the circulation of heated air 106 and prevention of temperaturestratification (as it is generally recognized that heated air 106 willrise as it exits heating unit 104). For example, the configuration ofoutput side of air mover 108 may be such that heated air 106 is directedtowards the baseboards or floor of affected area 102. In certainembodiments, the output side of air mover 108 may include a modifiedcircle that includes on elongated corner configured to direct air in agenerally downward direction. An example of such an air mover may bethat sold under the name Phoenix Axial Air Mover with FOCUS™ Technologyor Quest Air AMS 30 by Therma-Stor, L.L.C., which is described in U.S.Pat. No. 7,331,759 issued Marco A. Tejeda and assigned to TechnologiesHoldings Corp. of Houston, Tex.

Additionally, because some items or areas within affected area 102 maybe considered hard to heat, additional measures may be taken to ensurethorough distribution of heat through affected area 102 and its infestedcontents. For example, tightly packed contents within affected area 102,which may be resistant to being heated completely throughout (e.g.,contents within closets and drawers, stacked articles such as clothingor towels, etc.) may be separated such that each item may besufficiently enveloped in the heat emitted from heating unit 104. As aresult, heated air 106 may more easily penetrate such items to ensurethat bed bugs and/or others pest therein are killed.

In certain embodiments, system 100 may include one or more temperatureprobes 110 positioned within the affected area 102. Temperature probes110 may be operable to measure the temperature within affected area 102.When PT device 104 is operating in a pest control mode (i.e., a mode inwhich the goal is to heat affected area 102 and its contents to atemperature sufficient to kill bed bugs and other pests), temperatureprobes 110 may be used to help ensure that the areas of affected area102 in which they are placed reach a target temperature (e.g., 120degrees Fahrenheit). In certain embodiments, one or more temperatureprobes 110 may be communicatively coupled to PT device 104 (e.g., viawireless or wireline communication) such that the operation of PT device104 may be controlled according to the temperatures detected by the oneor more temperature probes 110 (as described in further detail below).

Although a particular implementation of system 100 is illustrated andprimarily described, the present disclosure contemplates any suitableimplementation of system 100, according to particular needs. Moreover,although various components of system 100 have been depicted as beinglocated at particular positions within affected area 102, the presentdisclosure contemplates those components being positioned at anysuitable location, according to particular needs.

FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed view of an example PT device 104 forthermal pest control, according to certain embodiments of the presentdisclosure. In certain embodiments, PT device 104 may be installed in anopening of an exterior wall 208 of affected area 102 (e.g., a hotelroom). In such embodiments, PT device 104, may include an outdoorchamber 202 and an indoor chamber 204, outdoor chamber 202 and indoorchamber 204 being encompassed within a housing 206 installed in theopening in exterior wall 208 of affected area 102.

In certain embodiments, an air inlet 210 may be formed in housing 206such that indoor chamber 204 may receive an air flow 212 from affectedarea 102. In certain embodiments, air flow 212 may be drawn through airinlet 210 by a fan 214. Fan 214 may include any suitable componentoperable to draw air flow 212 from affected area 102 at a particularflow rate. For example, fan 214 may include a fan having a variablespeed electric motor such that the flow rate of air flow 212 may bevaried by altering the speed of the electric motor (e.g., in response toa user input)

In certain embodiments, the air flow 212, having been drawn into indoorchamber 204 via air inlet 210, may pass across one or more heatingelements 216. Heating elements 216 may transfer heat to air flow 212 inorder to generate heated air 218. Heated air 218 may be discharged intoaffected area 102 via an air outlet 220 in order to heat affected area102 to a desired temperature.

In certain embodiments, the one or more heating elements 216 may includeone or more electrical resistance heaters 216 a. For purposes ofsimplicity, a single electrical resistance heater 216 a is depicted anddescribed below. Electrical resistance heater 216 a may include anysuitable element operable to receive a current flow 222 from a powersource 224 and generate heat as the current flow 222 passes through aresistive element.

In certain embodiments, the one or more heating elements 216 may includea heat exchanger 216 b. For example, heat exchanger 216 b may be anindoor heat exchanger component of a refrigeration loop additionallyincluding a compressor 226, an expansion valve 228, and an outdoor heatexchanger 230. When the refrigeration loop is operated as a heat pumpfor providing heat to air flow 212 (i.e., a reverse refrigerationcycle), heat exchanger 216 b may be considered the condenser componentof the refrigeration loop. When operated in this manner, a refrigerantis pressurized by compressor 226, causing the refrigerant to become ahigh pressure, high temperature gas. The heated, gaseous refrigerant isdischarged to heat exchanger 216 b (i.e., the condenser) where itcondenses into a high pressure, moderate temperature liquid, therebytransferring heat to the air flow 212 passing across heat exchanger 216b. The condensed refrigerant then passes through expansion valve 228,which lowers the pressure of the refrigerant. The low pressure, liquidrefrigerant leaving expansion valve 228 enters outdoor heat exchanger230 (i.e., the evaporator). A fan 232 may draw external air 234 tooutdoor chamber 202 via vents 236 such that the external air 234 passesacross outdoor heat exchanger 230 (i.e. the evaporator). The refrigerantmay absorb heat from the external air 234, the absorbed heat causing theliquid refrigerant to again enter the gaseous state. The gaseousrefrigerant is then passed back to the compressor, and the cycle isrepeated.

In certain embodiments, the above-discussed refrigeration loop mayinclude a reversing valve that allows the loop to be operated in reverseof that discussed above. When the refrigeration loop is operated inreverse, heat exchanger 216 b may act as the evaporator component (withoutdoor heat exchanger acting as the condenser component) such that heatmay be drawn away from air flow 212 in order to cool affected area 102.

Although heat exchanger 216 b is depicted and primarily described asbeing a condenser component of a refrigeration loop that is operable togenerate heat when the refrigeration loop is operated in reverse (i.e.,such that the condenser component acts as a heat pump), the presentdisclosure contemplates any suitable heat exchanger 216 b, according toparticular needs. For example, heat exchanger 216 b may be operable totransfer heat from hot water received from a hot water source (e.g., aboiler unit or other suitable water heater) to air passing across heatexchanger 216 b. As another example, heat exchanger 216 b may beoperable to transfer heat from steam received from a steam supply to airpassing across heat exchanger 216 b.

Additionally, although the PT device 104 is depicted as including bothan electrical resistance heater 216 a and a heat exchanger 216 b, thepresent disclosure contemplates PT device 104 including either (1) onlyan electrical resistance heater 216 a (or multiple electrical resistanceheaters 216 a), or (2) only a heat exchanger 216 b (or multiple heatexchangers 216 b)

In certain embodiments, one or more of the above-discussed components ofPT device 104 (e.g., fan 214, electrical resistance heater 216 a, heatexchanger 216, or any other suitable component of PT device 104) may becommunicatively coupled (e.g., via wireless or wireline communication)to control unit 238, which may control certain aspects of theabove-discussed operation of those components. Control unit 238 mayinclude any suitable combination of software, firmware, and hardware.

Control unit 238 may include one or more processing modules 240.Processing modules 240 may each include one or more microprocessors,controllers, or any other suitable computing devices or resources andmay work, either alone or with other components of PT device 104, toprovide a portion or all of the functionality described herein. Controlunit 238 may additionally include (or be communicatively coupled to viawireless or wireline communication) memory 242. Memory 242 may includeany memory or database module and may take the form of volatile ornon-volatile memory, including, without limitation, magnetic media,optical media, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM),removable media, or any other suitable local or remote memory component.

In certain embodiments, control unit 238 may be operable to cause PTdevice 104 to operate in either a first, normal mode of operation (e.g.,a mode according to which air within affected area 102 is conditionedsuch that it is suitable for occupants) or a second, pest control modeof operation (e.g., a mode according to which air within affected area102 is heated to a temperature sufficient to kill bed bugs and otherpests). For example, control unit 238 may be communicatively coupled toan override selector 244 that allows a user to specify the mode ofoperation for PT device 104 (i.e., either the normal mode of operationor the pest control mode of operation).

In certain embodiments, override selector 244 may include a mechanicaloverride button that a user may push in order to select the pest controlmode of operation. However, because the pest control mode of operationmay allow affected area 102 to be heated to temperatures than may beunsafe for human occupants, override selector 244 may be secured fromoccupant of affected area 102. For example, override selector 244 may bea lock that requires a key in order to select the pest control mode ofoperation. As another example, override selector 244 may include anelectronic key pad that requires a special key combination or other codeto be entered order to select the pest control mode of operation. As yetanother example, override selector 244 may be located on the interior ofPT device 104 such that it is hidden from the occupants of affected area102 or may not be located on PT device 104 at all (e.g., the pestcontrol mode of operation may be selected remotely, such as by hotelpersonnel).

When override selector 244 is set such that PT device 104 is operatingin a normal mode of operation, control unit 238 may control one or morecomponents of PT device 104 (e.g., fan 214, electrical resistance heater216 a, heat exchanger 216 b, or any other suitable component of PTdevice 104) such that air flow 212 is conditioned according to userpreferences. In certain embodiments, PT device 104 may include usercontrols 246 which allow a user to specify a desired temperature withinaffected area 102. Based on temperature measurements received by controlunit 238 from a thermostat 248, control unit 238 may control one or morecomponents of PT device 104 (e.g., fan 214, electrical resistance heater216 a, heat exchanger 216, or any other suitable component of PT device104) in order to achieve the desired temperature.

Because the normal mode of operation is a mode according to which airwithin affected area 102 is conditioned such that it is suitable foroccupants, one or more safety limits may be imposed on the operation ofPT device 104 when operating in normal mode.

For example, PT device 104 may be prevented from heating air withinaffected area 102 above a maximum temperature deemed safe and/ornecessary for occupants of affected area 102 (e.g., 90 degreesFahrenheit). More specifically, control unit 238 may shut down one ormore one or more components of PT device 104 (e.g., fan 214, electricalresistance heater 216 a, heat exchanger 216 b, or any other suitablecomponent of PT device 104) in response to receipt of a signal fromthermostat 248 indicating that the temperature within affected area 102is greater than the specified temperature.

As another example, when PT device 104 is operating in normal mode, thecurrent flow 222 received by electrical resistance heater 216 a may passthrough a fuse 250 a that limits the current flow 222 to a specifiedamount, thereby limiting the temperature that the resistive element ofelectrical resistance heater 216 a may reach. Limiting the temperaturethat the resistive element of electrical resistance heater 216 a mayreach may both (1) reduce the fire hazard associated with electricalresistance heater 216 a, and (2) prevent PT device 104 from heating airwithin affected area 102 above a maximum temperature deemed safe and/ornecessary for occupants of affected area 102 (e.g., 90 degreesFahrenheit).

When override selector 244 is set such that PT device 104 is operatingin a pest control mode of operation, control unit 238 may control one ormore components of PT device 104 (e.g., fan 214, electrical resistanceheater 216 a, heat exchanger 216 b, or any other suitable component ofPT device 104) such that air flow 212 is heated to a temperaturesufficient to kill bed bugs and other pests. Because the temperaturesufficient to kill bed bugs and other pests (e.g., 120 degreesFahrenheit) is higher than the above discussed maximum temperaturedeemed safe and/or necessary for occupants of affected area 102 (e.g.,90 degrees Fahrenheit), one or more of the above-discussed safety limitsmay be overridden when PT device 104 is operating in a pest control modeof operation.

For example, PT device 104 may be allowed to heat air within affectedarea 102 above the specified temperature deemed safe and/or necessaryfor occupants of affected area 102 (e.g., 90 degrees Fahrenheit) suchthat affected area 102 may reach a temperature sufficient to kill bedbugs and other pests (e.g., 120 degrees Fahrenheit). Moreover, inembodiments in which temperature probes 110 are placed within affectedarea 102, temperature probes 110 may communicate signals to control unit238, the signals indicating the temperature within affected area 102.Based on this temperature feedback, control unit 238 may selectivelycontrol one or more one or more components of PT device 104 (e.g., fan214, electrical resistance heater 216 a, heat exchanger 216, or anyother suitable component of PT device 104) to help ensure that affectedarea 102 is uniformly heated to a temperature sufficient to kill bedbugs and other pests (e.g., 120 degrees Fahrenheit).

As another example, when PT device 104 is operating in pest controlmode, the current flow 222 received by electrical resistance heater 216a may pass through a fuse 250 b that limits the current flow 222 to anamount greater than that permitted by fuse 250 a, thereby allowing theresistive element of electrical resistance heater 216 a to reach ahigher temperature. Allowing the resistive element of electricalresistance heater 216 a to reach a higher temperature may increase theoverall heating capacity of PT device 104, which may allow PT device 104to heat affected area 102 to a temperature sufficient to kill bed bugsand other pests (e.g., 120 degrees Fahrenheit), which may not bepossible based on the limits imposed by fuse 250 a.

The ability of PT device 104 to operate in both a normal mode and a pestcontrol mode may provide certain advantages over conventional packagedterminal device often installed in certain affected areas (e.g., a PTACor a PTHP often installed in hotel rooms). For example, as discussedabove, PT device 104 may be safely used to both (1) heat (or cool) anarea to a temperature comfortable for occupants of the area (e.g., 70degrees Fahrenheit), and (2) heat the area to a temperature sufficientto kill bed bugs and other pests (e.g., 120 degrees Fahrenheit). Incontrast, convention packaged terminal devices may only be operable toheat/cool an area to a temperature comfortable for occupants of the area(e.g., 70 degrees Fahrenheit). As a result, when PT device 104 isinstalled in an affected area as a replacement for a conventionalpackaged terminal device, the need to bring in a separate heating device(e.g., a hydronic heating system) to heat the affected area to atemperature sufficient to kill bed bugs and other pests (e.g., 120degrees Fahrenheit) may be reduced or eliminated. Accordingly, the costof pest eradication and/or the time required for pest eradication may bereduced.

Although a particular implementation of PT device 104 is illustrated andprimarily described, the present disclosure contemplates any suitableimplementation of PT device 104, according to particular needs.Moreover, although various components of PT device 104 have beendepicted as being located at particular positions within housing 206 andrelative to one another, the present disclosure contemplates thosecomponents being positioned at any suitable location, according toparticular needs.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example method 300 for thermal pest control usingPT device 104, according to certain embodiments. The method begins atstep 302. At step 304, a PT device 104 may be provided at leastpartially within affected area 102. For example, PT device 104 may beinstalled in an exterior wall of a hotel room. As described above withregard to FIG. 2, PT device 104 may be operable to operable in both (1)a normal mode in which PT device 104 is operable to generate sufficientheated air 218 to heat at least a portion of affected area 102 to atemperature suitable for occupants of affected area (e.g., a temperatureless than 90 degrees Fahrenheit), and (2) a cleaning mode in which thePT device 104 is operable to generate sufficient heated air 218 to heatat least a portion of the affected area 102 to a temperature sufficientto kill bed bugs or other pests (e.g., a temperature greater than 120degrees Fahrenheit).

At step 306, a user selects, using override selector 244 of PT device104, the normal mode of operation. When the normal mode of operation isselected, PT device 104 may operate with one or more safety limits inplace such that PT device 104 may safely provide heated air 218 toaffected area 102 while one or more occupants are located in affectedarea 102 (i.e., PT device 104 may heat affected area to a temperaturespecified by the occupants of affected area 102).

At step 308, a user selects, using override selector 244 of PT device104, the pest control mode of operation. When the pest control mode ofoperation is selected, the one or more safety limits associated with thenormal mode may be overridden such that PT device may heat affected area102 to a temperature sufficient to kill bed bugs and other pests (e.g.,120 degrees Fahrenheit). At step 310, one or more temperature probes 110are positioned within affected area 102. Temperature probes 110 may eachbe operable to detect the temperature within affected area 110 andcommunicate a signal indicating the detected temperature to control unit238 of PT device 104 such that PT device 104 may operate until affectedarea 102 has been thoroughly and uniformly heated to a targettemperature (e.g., 120 degrees Fahrenheit). At step 312, one or more airmovers 108 are positioned within the affected area 102. Air movers 108may distribute the heated air 106 discharged by PT device 104 throughoutaffected area 102.

Once affected area has been heated to a temperature sufficient to killbed begs an other pests for a sufficient period of time, a user, at step314, may again select, using override selector 244 of PT device 104, thenormal mode of operation such that PT device may heat affected area 102to a temperature specified by the occupants of affected area 102. Themethod ends at step 316.

Although the steps of method 300 have been described as being performedin a particular order, the present invention contemplates that the stepsof method 300 may be performed in any suitable order, according toparticular needs

Although the present invention has been described with severalembodiments, diverse changes, substitutions, variations, alterations,and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art, and it isintended that the invention encompass all such changes, substitutions,variations, alterations, and modifications as fall within the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for killing pests in an affected area,comprising: draw, by a first fan positioned within an indoor chamber ofa housing, a first flow of air from within an affected area into theindoor chamber of the housing; draw, by a second fan positioned withinan outdoor chamber of the housing, a second flow of air from an areaoutside the affected area into the outdoor chamber of the housing;generate, by one or more heating elements within the indoor chamber ofthe housing, heated air by transferring heat to the first flow of air;operate in a first mode of operation, a control unit causes electriccurrent to be supplied to the one or more heating elements to generate asufficient amount of heated air to heat at least a portion of theaffected area to a temperature less than or equal to a first predefinedtemperature; and operate in a second mode of operation, the control unitcauses electric current to be supplied to the one or more heatingelements to generate an additional amount of heated air to heat the atleast a portion of the affected area to a temperature that is greaterthan or equal to a second predefined temperature, the second predefinedtemperature being greater than the first predefined temperature; whereinthe second mode of operation is a pest killing mode that is not suitablefor human occupants and the second predefined temperature is greaterthan or equal to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein the first mode of operation comprises a normal mode of operationsuitable for human occupants and the first predefined temperature isless than or equal to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
 3. The method of claim 1,further comprising receiving from an override selector user inputindicating a desire to operate in the first mode of operation or thesecond mode of operation, and wherein: the first mode of operation beingselected by inserting and turning a key to a first position of theoverride selector; and the second mode of operation being selected byinserting and turning the key to a second position of the overrideselector.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving from anoverride selector user input indicating a desire to operate in the firstmode of operation or the second mode of operation, and wherein: thefirst mode of operation is selected by entering a first code into akeypad of the override selector; and the second mode of operation isselected by entering a second code into the keypad of the overrideselector.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving asignal from one or more temperature probes within the affected areawhile the second mode of operation is selected; and discharging heatedair into the affected area until the affected area reaches a targettemperature.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the target temperature isgreater than or equal to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
 7. The method of claim1, wherein the housing is configured to be installed in an opening of anexterior wall of the affected area, the indoor chamber positioned on aninterior side of the exterior wall, the outdoor chamber positioned on anexterior side of the exterior wall.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein:during the first mode of operation, limiting, by a first fuse, theelectric current supplied to the one or more heating elements; andduring the second mode of operation, limiting, by a second fuse, theelectric current supplied to the one or more heating elements, thesecond fuse permitting more electrical current than the first fuse.
 9. Amethod for killing pests in an affected area, comprising: during a firstmode of operation, using a packaged terminal device comprising a housinghaving an indoor chamber and an outdoor chamber to generate a sufficientamount of heated air to heat at least a portion of the affected area toa temperature, less than or equal to a first predefined temperature, thefirst predefined temperature associated with a safety limit andcomprising a maximum temperature suitable for human occupants;receiving, by a control unit, a user input indicating a desire totransition the packaged terminal device from the first mode of operationto a second mode of operation; transitioning the packaged terminaldevice to the second mode of operation; during the second mode ofoperation, drawing by a first fan positioned within the indoor chamberof the packaged terminal device, a first flow of air from the affectedarea into the indoor chamber of the housing; during the second mode ofoperation, drawing by a second fan positioned within the outdoor chamberof the packaged terminal device, a second flow of air from an areaoutside the affected area into the outdoor chamber of the housing; andduring the second mode of operation, using the packaged terminal deviceto generate an additional amount of heated air to heat the at least theportion of the affected area to a temperature greater than or equal to asecond predefined temperature; wherein the second mode of operation is apest killing mode that is not suitable for human occupants and thesecond predefined temperature is greater than or equal to 120 degreesFahrenheit.
 10. A method for killing pests in an affected area,comprising: providing a packaged terminal device comprising a housinghaving an indoor chamber and an outdoor chamber, the housing configuredto be positioned such that the indoor chamber is at least partiallywithin an affected area and the outdoor chamber is at least partiallyoutside the affected area, the packaged terminal device configured to:operate a first fan positioned within the indoor chamber of the housingto draw a first flow of air from the affected area into the indoorchamber; operate a second fan positioned within the outdoor chamber ofthe housing to draw a second flow of air from outside the affected areainto the outdoor chamber; generate, by one or more heating elements,heated air by transferring heat to the first flow of air from theaffected area; operate in a first mode in which the packaged terminaldevice is operable to generate sufficient heated air to heat at least aportion of the affected area to a temperature less than or equal to afirst predefined temperature; and operate in a second mode in which thepackaged terminal device is operable to generate sufficient heated airto heat the at least a portion of the affected area to a temperaturegreater than or equal to a second predefined temperature, the secondpredefined temperature being greater than the first predefinedtemperature; selecting, using an override selector of the packagedterminal device, the first mode such that the packaged terminal devicemay operate in the first mode when one or more occupants are presentwithin the affected area; selecting, using the override selector of thepackaged terminal device, the second mode such that the packagedterminal device may operate in the second mode when the one or moreoccupants are not present within the affected area; and in conjunctionwith the second mode, one or more temperature probes placed within theaffected area communicate signals indicating temperature to the packagedterminal device such that the packaged terminal device may discharge theheated air into the affected area until the affected area reaches atarget temperature that is greater than or equal to 120 degreesFahrenheit.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first mode comprisesa normal mode of operation suitable for human occupants and the firstpredefined temperature is less than or equal to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.12. The method of claim 10, wherein the second mode is a pest killingmode that is not suitable for human occupants and the second predefinedtemperature is greater than or equal to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
 13. Themethod of claim 10, wherein: the override selector comprises a lock; andthe first mode is selected by inserting and turning a key to a firstposition; and the second mode is selected by inserting and turning thekey to a second position.
 14. The method of claim 10, wherein: theoverride selector comprises a keypad; the first mode Is selected byentering a first code into the keypad; and the second mode is selectedby entering a second code into the keypad.
 15. The method of claim 10,wherein the affected area comprises a hotel room.
 16. The method ofclaim 10, wherein the housing is configured to be installed in anopening of an exterior wall of the affected area, the indoor chamberpositioned on an interior side of the exterior wall, the outdoor chamberpositioned on an exterior side of the exterior wall.
 17. The method ofclaim 10, wherein the affected area comprises a home.
 18. The method ofclaim 10, wherein: during the first mode, limiting, by a first fuse, anelectric, current supplied to the one or more heating elements; andduring the second mode, limiting, by a second fuse, an electric currentsupplied to the one or more heating elements, the second fuse permittingmore electrical current than the first fuse.
 19. A method for killingpests in an affected area, comprising: providing a packaged terminaldevice comprising a housing having an indoor chamber and an outdoorchamber, the housing configured to be positioned such that the indoorchamber is at least partially within the affected area and the outdoorchamber is at least partially outside the affected area, the packagedterminal device configured to: operate a first fan positioned within theindoor chamber of the housing to draw a first flow of air from theaffected area into the indoor chamber; operate a second fan positionedwithin the outdoor chamber of the housing to draw a second flow of airfrom outside the affected area into the outdoor chamber; generate, byone or more heating elements, heated air by transferring heat to thefirst flow of air from the affected area; operate in a first mode inwhich the packaged terminal device is operable to generate sufficientheated air to heat at least a portion of the affected area to atemperature less than or equal to a first predefined temperature; andoperate in a second mode in which the packaged terminal device isoperable to generate sufficient heated air to heat the at least aportion of the affected area to a temperature greater than or equal to asecond predefined temperature, the second predefined temperature beinggreater than the first predefined temperature; selecting, using anoverride selector of the packaged terminal device, the first mode suchthat the packaged terminal device may operate in the first mode when oneor more occupants are present within the affected area; and selecting,using the override selector of the packaged terminal device, the secondmode such that the packaged terminal device may operate in the secondmode when the one or more occupants are not present within the affectedarea; wherein: during the first mode, limiting, by a first fuse, anelectric current supplied to the one or more heating elements; andduring the second mode, limiting, by a second fuse, an electric currentsupplied to the one or more heating elements, the second fuse permittingmore electrical current than the first fuse.